title: Comparison between ImmunoCard STAT!(®) and real-time PCR as screening tools for both O157:H7 and non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in Southern Alberta, Canada.
abstract: An increasing number of non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infections and outbreaks have been reported. In this study, we evaluated the performance of ImmunoCard STAT!(®) (Meridian Bioscience, Inc., Cincinnati, OH, USA) as a method to screen stool specimens for STEC (O157 and non-O157). An in-house real-time PCR method was used as the "gold standard". We also evaluated the prevalence and clinical characteristics of STEC infections in the Alberta South West Zone. From July to November 2011, 819 stool specimens submitted for routine stool culture were tested. With our in-house real-time PCR, 7 O157:H7 and 10 non-O157 STEC isolates were identified for a total of 17 STECs. In comparison, ImmunoCard STAT!(®) identified a total of 6, resulting in a sensitivity and specificity of 35% and 99%, respectively (P < 0.05). Because of the low sensitivity, ImmunoCard STAT!(®) cannot be recommended as a routine screening test for STEC from enriched stool specimens. The rate of STEC positivity as detected by PCR was 2.08%, of which 0.86% was O157:H7 and 1.22% non-O157 STEC. Five of the 7 cases of STEC O157 infection experienced bloody diarrhea, and 1 developed hemolytic uremic syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Alberta Provincial Laboratory for Public Health, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Linda.Chui@albertahealthservices.ca
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chui
authors.forename: Mao-Cheng
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Richelle
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: Aaron
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bryks
authors.forename: Linsey
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Haines
authors.forename: Valerie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Boras
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000416:Alberta; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D054323:Shiga-Toxigenic Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: ImmunoCard STAT!(®); Real-time PCR; Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli